Battery connecter



Nov. 20 1923. 1,474,434

J. E. M KEE BATTERY CONNECTER Filed March 30. 1921 JOSEPH n MGKEE, or coNNnLLsvILLn, PENNSYLVANIA, AssmNoa or oNn-rmnn TO N. E. wooLmN AND ONE-THIRD T JOSEPH OPPMAN, BOTH orooNNELLsvILLn, PENNSYLV BATTERY CONNECTER.

Application mednamn 'so, 1921. Se'rialNo. 457,090.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Josnrn E. MoKEE, a

citizen of the United. States, residing at Connellsville, in the .county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Battery Connecters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n connecters adapted for use in attaching and detaching electrical conductors to and from 4 the binding posts or other similar contacts pf electrical batteries, instruments, and the ike.

The principal object of the invention is to provide for a device of the character mentioned, and one adapted to be permanently, or otherwise ,securely attached to the free end of a conductor and of a nature to admit of its quick attachment to or detachment from the binding posts of electrical devices as 'aforesaid. v

A further object of the invention is to provide for a connecter of the class described, and one which, in addition to its adaptability for quick attaching and detaching action, effects a firm and secure gripping action on the engaged binding posts or contacts in a manner to assure of highly efficient electrical contact with the latter.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel and useful construction and arrangement as will be hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device I in its inoperative position,

Fig. 2' is a view similar to that of Fig.1 but showing the device in its operative position,

Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof, and,

Fig. 4 isra bottom plan view of the device as in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views thereof, the body portion of the connecter is formed of'a suitable length of spring metal bent into a substantially yoke or inverted U- shaped configuration, whereby to provide oppositely disposed leg portions 10 projecting from the head or body 11 thereof disposed on reversely curved lines to provide a such purpose. I However, when the le medially depressed portion 12 forming a seat and into which is laid the bare end 13 of a conductor 14. The end 13 is suitably secured permanently in position as by being brazed or soldered thereto. The free ends of the leg portions 10 are each bent inwardly to provide angularly disposed portions or gripping aws 15, the free end edges thereof being opposed one to the other and toothed or serrated, as at 16, whereby to facilitate the gripping action thereof.

Medially of the opposite leg portions 10 is formed vertically elongated openings or slots 17. one in alignment with the other, and passed through these openings or slots 17-is a latch bar 19 which has a recess 20 formed in the under edge of an enlarged end portion 19 thereof adapted to engage the lowerwall or edge of one of the openings, and a series of inwardly inclined rack teeth 21 extending inward from the opposite end of the lower edge thereof which are adapted for cooperation with the lower wall or edge of the slot or recess of the other of said openings, whereby to retain the leg portions 10 in any desired position one with respect to the other throughout the range of adjustment necessary for the proper manipulation and use of the connecter.

In the use of the device, after a conductor 14 has been attached as hereinbefore indicated, the leg portions 10 are pressed to- 'ward each other until the serrated jaws are firmly engaged at opposite sides of a binding post or the like (not shown), and

preferably under the usual binding nut mental thereto, the teeth 21' riding over the edge of the slot cooperating therewith for ortions 10 have been brought into the eslred clamping position on a binding post or other electrical contact, their accidental spreading from such adjusted position is prevented by the vertical faces of the teeth 21 being abutted by the outer wall of the complemental leg portion. .To release the connecter from operative position, the latch bar 19 is swung upwardly on the fulcrum point of the same, as provided by the recess 20 thereof being engaged over the lower edge of the opening tion inthe latter the outer portion of its in the other leg portion opposite tovthe one complemental to the rack toothed end of the.

slot or recess comp-lementalthereto, and to facilitate its insertion into operative positop edge is curved, as at 20, so that to have its recess 20 engaged over the lower edge of this particular slot or recess 17, the latch bar must be held in a downwardly inclined position duringthe movement of insertion,

and, consequently, by reason of this peculiar construction, arrangement and necessary manipulation, the latch bar 19 will always remain in its operativeposition during the continued use of the device, and can only be removed entirely from between the leg portions 10 by spreading the latter sufliciently to free the rack toothed end thereof from the opening complemental thereto, and canting thebar in a downward direction until a sufficient clearance has been effected for the passage of the curved portion of the top edge of the same inward of the upper portion of the engaged slot or recess.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed, is p 1. A connecter for the purpose set forth comprising a yoke/shaped body of resilient material having the head thereof provided with a seat to which is adapted to be permanently secured a conductor, said member havi the legs thereof provided with inwardly extending jaws, each of the legs of said member provided with a slot, and a latch bar extending through said slots and notched near one end for removable engagement with the inner end, wall of a slot of one of the legs, said latch bar further proing through said slots and notched to removably engage one of the walls of the slot and further provided with a series of teeth capable of engaging a wall of the other of the slots for securing said jaws in abutting engagement.

3. A connecter for the purpose set forth comprising a yoke shaped member of resilient material adapted to have a conductor permanently secured therewith, said member having free ends of the legs thereof provided with inwardly extending jaws adapted to be brought/into abutting engagement, each of the legs of said member formed with a slot, and a latch bar extending through said slots and notched to'removably engage one of the walls of the slot and further provided with a series of teeth capable of engaging a wall of the other of the slots for securing said jaws in abutting enga ement, the notched end of said bar being 0? greater width than the toothed end thereof. a

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

JOSEPH E. MQKEE. 

